-Chapter: XVIII-
-Now is the Winter of Discontent-
'History. Something to remember as the events that have made the world what it is. In my history book, the day I chose to live with Toothless and not my home Village is an important mark. It represents the day I chose to live in peace with those who care about me and take my step to my life. Was it the right choice? That would remain to be seen. All I do know is that with a cold winter on approach and only the barest of material to keep warm, this will be one of the tougher winters to face. In fact, I would worry greatly if it was not for the knowledge that I have a plethora of clothing at the Viking Village. It is but another package to get to this new home in the mountain side. Writing of new homes, I don't even know where on the island this cave system is. The Isle of Berk is large, despite those who would think they see otherwise. There are hills and valleys that block the thickly pined forests and dot the impressive spires that jut out of the ground. From the suns place when it falls, I can tell we are on the western side at most, but that is still one large side.
...
Again writing on a new topic, with the sun nearly receded and Toothless growing restless for action, I think the three of us {Puff is coming with us, he does not like the dark of the cave alone} , the three of us will take to the sky and the Village where we will gather what supplies I need to survive, under the cover of night.
...
It will be interesting to say the least what the Village will look like from an outsiders point-of-view. I have never imagined I would view Berk from the eyes of one who does not live there. Will it be uncomfortable, to see the slow torches move about and have fear in being seen? Probably. Berk has been known to not have the greatest of night-watchmen, but with dragons having not attacked in some time, that would mean the guard count will slowly get higher as the nights progress.
Twilight light the sky with a disappearing radiance in the approaching night. Torches to be kindled in the coming darkness that swept over a small Viking village on the Isle of Berk. Far outside the barrier of human vision, two sets of eyes watched the quieting village with patience, only to shift to the third that chased a small rodent in the canopy.
"Puff! Keep it down. We must not be found out." Hiccup hushed the annoyed 'Terror. He was not interested in raiding the small village for supplies. He wouldn't admit it, but he was only with the duo because they were not in the cave, the very cave that was too dark for him to be alone in. Lest it was day, he would be in the shelter of the cave. The fidgety flying reptile took to perching on Hiccups shoulder, tail pressed against his back for support. With the blanket of darkness, Hiccup looked like he had a parrot strapped to his right shoulder. Toothless meanwhile had kept a steady watch on the village, spotting torches that burned brightly on the left, right and center of his vision.
When all guards were out of the area near the closest house, Hiccup silently thanked whomever or whatever influenced his father to have the longhouse be built so close to the tree-line. With quiet precision, all three made their way to the door, a door that was surprisingly not built to fit large dragons. Who knew? Desperately praying for the door to not creak on its hinges, Hiccup slowly pushed aside the door.
The boy let out a tight breath as the door swayed open silently. He left the rearward door ajar to let in the cool moonlight that helped to illuminate the bare household. Shafts of dusty light sneaked in through the smoke-hole in the roof. It was a very disheartening sight, knowing this house would be bare all through the winter and the freeze. A hunting party never returned in the middle of winter. If by the unfortunate chance that any expedition lasted into it, they would stay put and not set sail for home until the surrounding seas opened up again. Stoick has not returned, and he will not till spring comes around and the weather clears. Hiccup paused to take in the sight. He felt slightly weak in the knees, knowing this would be the last time he would see the inside of his old home. He took a moment to take in the benches that surrounded the grey pit, the furs that hung from the walls showcasing his fathers hunting achievements, the creaky steps that led to the boy's room, the racks of weapons leaning beside the forward door. A grey, colourless picture stilled of life and liveliness.
If his mother were here, the home would be anything but bleak. She always found a way to make the most sour days and nights into the sweetest dreams. Oh how she would care for Hiccup, knowing him to being so different from the others, to protect him and let him know someone cares about him deeply. He doesn't blame them really, the dragons. He also doesn't blame his mother for launching herself at the creature, to protect her son. In truth, he blames himself for not running and hiding from the sight of his mother, laying there on the ground. Things would be so much better if his father would lie to him in the morning about why mother was not there. Off on an adventure, to find for the family riches, he could say. Something to give him a better image of her leaving.
Hiccup banished the thoughts from his mind as he focused on the task at hand. He came for supplies and clothing, not sentimental thoughts. He picked himself together and began with the first item, a basket large enough to hold the items in need. As he moved, he silently cursed the darkness that found its way into the areas that he needed to search.
"Ugh, it's so dark..." Hiccup grumbled to himself as he felt around for a woven basket.
"Not for me it is not." Puff remarked on the humans lack of night-vision.
"Of course! Puff, would you mind helping me?" Hiccup accidentally raised his voice at remembering who his companion was.
"What else am I to do? Sit on your shoulder?" Puff flitted from his perch, landing on the wood boards that lined the floor with a soft clink as his claws made contact with the surface. At once, Hiccup began with describing what would be a large basket for Puff to search for, using his silent voice as guidance to his destination. Soon, Hiccup had in hand his first item; a storage basket. After that came general tools that were kept in storage for hunting trips and setting homes. Small hand hatchets and wood cutting blades, skinning blades and filleting knives, cooking bowls and utensils, and some portions of preserved food for filling the small space left inside the basket. His last target was to make his way up to the rafter part of the house and get in his room. Feeling his way up the carved steps, he shuffled uneasily over the creaking floor boards to his bedside dresser. Grumbling to himself over how pathetic his eyes are, he turned out each drawer to find his needed materials and clothing. Winter would soon be upon him and he needed the warm wrappings to stay alive. Cloak, vest, socked leggings, extra tunic, extra boots, and gloves.
At what could only be described as close to mid-night, Hiccups eyes had adjusted to the dark, allowing him to see slightly better. Utilizing his adjusted sight, he sat down on a barely visible bench to take stock of what he had gathered. Feeling the weight was fine, he tested carrying it with a rope wrapped around the side. At once he nearly dropped it, having forgotten an important item. Setting the baggage down, he looked at the rope he had wrapped and took to storage for longer coils to place inside. He learned that rope was incredibly useful, and one could never have too much. Feeling pleased with himself and his plunder, He couldn't help but feel like he was a pirate pillaging from some one else's home. The thought was torn from focus when he heard Toothless ask for what counted as the tenth time in the evening if he had everything and could leave.
"Yes. You can stop asking." Hiccup gingerly picked up the basket, Puff in tow, then turned to the door. He took one last look behind him at the unpleasantly dark home, silently wishing his father would return and carry on with his life. He didn't want for him any more disappointments, so maybe this was for the best. He would never be here to greet his father when he returns from his hunting trip, would not be here to congratulate the winner of Dragon Training and watch the winner kill the Monstrous Nightmare. He would not be here to browse the stocks that the traders will bring to harbor. After all, he will be living off in the far woods with his brother, enjoying the new life he has been given.
Hiccup un-latched the door and moved outside, only to pause for one last, long look into the dark house. Toothless was immediately at his side, curious about the pause in movement. He nudged the boy, trying to get his attention.
"It's nothing, just thinking..." His voice trailed off as he continued to stare into the space beyond the frame.
"What is it? You seem concerned." Toothless questioned the boys hard stare.
'I never got to say good-bye to my mother." Hiccup replied quietly. The night was high and guards would be stationed at the far-out watch towers, not strolling through town. Toothless moved his gaze from the boy to the inside of the house, more easily spying the empty expanse. He knew what the boy felt. He knew precisely what he felt. It was a scar that never could be healed or covered up. It was open and must be understood and remembered. Remembered with dignity.
"I do not know who your mother was, but I can tell that you love her, and that she loves you. I think, despite I being a dragon, that she would love you still for who you are and what you do. Where ever her spirit lies, I know, she still loves you. Perhaps you can give your good-bye, here, now."
He then picked up, with his toothless maw, the woven basket via the rope that connected it. He turned himself from the boy, who was silently thankful that he was not a Viking, for Vikings do not weep tears. Hiccup dragged his gaze out to the mountains where her funeral took place, brightly burning stars christened the peaks like glistening gemstones. A dark outline of the jutting rocks, like spears striking the sky.
"Good-bye Mum.." He turned away from the scene, securing the rearward door and followed the slow 'Fury and 'Terror as they waited in a nearby clearing to leave. Hiccup hopped into the saddle with a slight wobble in his knees. He clicked back the fin, allowing for lift. Toothless immediately pumped his wings and set off into the night sky, leaving the silent home to lay bare against the coming winter. The cold wind to be the only stirring motion for the season to come...
Hiccup pressed himself into the crook of Toothless' neck on the flight home. The cold, late autumn wind cooled his skin. Whether he would deny it or not, he was always intrigued about how Toothless constantly radiated a soft warmth from his scales. Even in the dead of night, he was like a bag of hot coals, heat seeping outside. The warmth under the saddle, combined with the liquid tranquility of the midnight sky forced him to very much so enjoy the sensation that came with flying. If this is what he would be cursed to endure for the rest of his life, he would be pleasantly accepting of his fate. The half-moon illuminated the clouds, giving them their own radiance of cool light. Silver slivers sliced through the air as they twisted above the clouds, the torches of the night sky burning brightly above their heads. All the world was below him, and he would live his life as he saw fit. Was it luck that brought about such a wonderful turn of events, or was it his own decisions that brought about the turn of events? As his luck would run, the clearing in the woods at the base of the mountain came into view. He shifted in the saddle as they turned into the slow descent, landing with a soft thud as Toothless dropped the basket down with the rope whipping aside. Hiccup was second to make contact with earth as Puff followed quickly in pursuit, not one to be shaken off by the impatient Night Fury.
Hiccup heaved up the basket and trudged up the slope leading to the cave entrance. In the darkness surrounding him, it would be near impossible to make out the black hole on the black mountain side. Luckily, tonight was not a black night as the half-moon illuminated the gaping entrance clearly enough to walk through without injury. The moon light was only so purging, as it ceased to light up any rock past a few feet into the cave.
Setting the basket down next to the wall, Hiccup poked through it till he found the wood hatchet. Making his way back down the slope to the forest, Hiccup began with what he remarked as the beginning of something entirely new.
"Mark it in the journal." Hiccup reminisced with himself. Setting his mind on the cold night, he trimmed and chopped small pieces and bits of bark till he had enough for the night. He made a mental note to begin collecting a pile for the winter. He would not be able to make as many trips out during the freeze, which meant he would need to stock-pile everything to make it through the long haul.
If his mind was more focused, he would have noticed the two dragons in the cave focusing on each other. Only when he set a small pointed shape of sticks and logs in the center of the cave, and kindly asked if Toothless could light it, did he notice the looks the two were sharing. He didn't take anything of it, instead, he turned his attention the walls that surrounded him and the warm fire that crackled at his hands. The warm firelight pasted the walls with dancing shadows of winged creatures and shaggy humans. Ripples of light bounced of the walls as the fire burned brightly, sticks shattering under the heat. The light illuminated the various markings made over the time that Toothless had lived here, before the incident with the bola. At the reminder that Toothless had lived here, and still does, Hiccup had to ask before he forgot.
"Hey Toothless?" Toothless paused in the clear conversation with Puff before turning to the boy.
"How long have you lived here?" Hiccup tilted his head as he positioned himself cross-legged to the duo across the flames.
"How long?" He paused as he looked into the spitting fire in front of him. "I am into my fifth passing." Hiccup twisted his eyebrows at the term 'passing'.
"What is a passing?" He asked, unaware of the curious glance from Puff.
"A passing is a portion of a young dragons life where they are taught by their Guardians. It is a common means of describing a portion of cycles." Toothless clarified like he was teaching a small hatchling on time keeping.
"How long is a passing though?" Hiccup asked again, this time with a glance at Puff who was looking at the ceiling in thought.
"Four cycles." Toothless replied, understanding that Hiccup had never heard Draconian terms before. Already, Hiccup was forming the question for the answer.
"..and how long are cycles?" He asked, thinking Toothless should know that he could go down to the name of days, and still not know what they were.
"A cycle is made up of the Greater Halves, and the Lesser Halves." Toothless began scratching two perpendicular lines in the stone floor, motioning for Hiccup to come across and pay attention. He finished with scratching a circle all around the four lines, connecting with each end. He paused as Hiccup looked over the circle with two lines inside. Hiccup placed his hands to his sash, looking for his journal. After finding it, he grabbed a stick that had burned at the tip, letting it cool in the air as he waved it around to stop the smoking. After finding it satisfactory for writing, he asked for Toothless to continue. Beginning again, Toothless connected two portions of the cut circle with a diagonal line down the middle. The line split two quarters of the circle into eighths while leaving two quarters untouched. He tapped a claw on both of the larger quarters, opposite each other. "These, are the Greater Halves." He moved and started tapping on the four smaller portions. "These are the Lesser Halves." Already Hiccup had an idea as to what a Cycle was.
Toothless made a mark in one of the Greater Halves before speaking.
"This Greater Half, is the Half of Dead-Leaf."
'Winter' Hiccup thought to himself. It was the season when leaves died and fell from their branches. It made sense to call this season, the season of Dead-Leaf.
Puff placed his own claw on the opposite Greater Halve, speaking proudly.
"..and this is the Greater Half of Green-Leaf." Toothless faced him then Hiccup who was nodding purposefully.
Hiccup smiled as he leaned back at the sight. It was incredible how similar the circle in the stone was to the calendar at the Village. It represented the cycle of the seasons, and the passing of the years. The name was different, but the representation of it was all the same.
It began with a year, then a set of four years, then a set of five passings.
"You've seen 17 'Dead-Leaves'?" Hiccup asked the Night Fury, who was still marking the stone calendar. When Hiccup connected the lines and circled back to the equaling of passings, a realization that made Toothless elated in the sharing of a sense of time. It was simple, but it was still amazing that they were able to share with each other their own unique points and forms; their own special ways of understanding the world around them.
"We do not count by the number of Halves, but if you are going by a cycle count, 18 cycles." Toothless finally finished.
"18..." Hiccup muttered the number slowly. Were he and Toothless both so young?
"How many cycles old are you?" Toothless asked the startled boy.
"16." Hiccup answered.
Toothless thought over it, since they both- "Fifth passing. Both of us." Toothless gave a small grin as he thought on it more and more. While Toothless was thinking in his own world, Hiccup had turned to the 'Terror beside him.
"How many cycles old are you, Puff?" Hiccup asked. He knew the basic form of time, he had to go on.
Puff looked from the captivating fire to the boy before thinking on the expanse of stone above them.
"I know I am into my third passing, not by much though." Puff had looked down from the ceiling as he replied.
"You don't know the number of cycles?" He could use years, but since the Draconian time form was known all-around, it was better to use that instead. Human terms could be traded later. Puff had shaken his head in reply.
When Hiccup looked to press for more information, as he was in one of those talking moods of his, Toothless made to picking up by adding that age was not something of large concern with the Kin.
"Some forget their age, some place their Hatch-Day on the wrong point, others just don't care all-together."
"Why? Is ones age important at all?" Hiccup leaned back against his palms behind him.
"To us, age is far lesser in importance than say ones accomplishments, their knowledge, wisdom, understandings. What we care about, are the things that have been, not the time they have been done in. Life is not a race. It is the crawl from a young and unknowing Hatchling, to an accomplished and understanding Powâkan*. What happens in between the Hatchling, and the Powâkan is what matters most, not the time it took." Toothless finished his small speech with satisfaction that his point was made. Hiccup looked between Puff and Toothless and back to Puff, back to the fire then back to Toothless, before going back to the fire again, only to settle with eyes on Toothless.
"...but age is important, right?" The much larger dragon promptly groaned and dropped his head against the hard rock floor, beginning the evening spent of communicative wonder.
That night, Hiccup spent the greater portion scribbling in his journal all the details and specific points that both dragons gave off. He replaced the burnt snub of charcoal on the end more times than he ever has in a single sitting. He filled page after page of drawings of different words and descriptions of things that are and thought to be. The circle of talking began with a single word uttered, unknown in meaning to another, then follows the explanation, then comparisons and descriptions. The combination of understandings and perceptions on what is and isn't. It was beautiful. For such a grandeur moment of splendid talking never felt so good. It never felt so good to just talk and be able to learn and teach at the same time. The passing of knowledge from one being from one walk of life, to another being from another area of the forest. Give the man his fish, and he will eat well. Give the man reason to fish, and he will eat for the rest of his life.
Hiccup wanted to learn. To learn everything to know about dragons. To know what lies beneath that thick skull. What secrets did he hold. What was life like for dragons? Hiccup yearned to know, to be taught and trained in the ways of life that dragons lead, or as much as he would be able to, be taught to think like one at best...
'I can hear a bird chirping nearby the cave entrance. The light from the sun does not enter the cave directly, only reflections and bouncing rays catch the opening. The setting sun may pierce right through the entrance, but the sun has to rise and fall all the way around the mountain for that. Even if the sun can not be seen, I can tell that it is near to noon. Why? Toothless is nowhere in the cave by what I can see. He must wake at dawn, and had gone out earlier. Today marks the first day waking up in my new home. It was not exactly comfortable, what with the hard stone floor beneath me. That can change over time, maybe with some furs collected, possibly, but that is for another time. Right now, I am more than curious about what will happen next. The most peculiar thing happened only moments ago when I had awoken. The churning pit in the center -'
Hiccup was writing in his journal when the sound of something large and bulky dropping onto the ground caught his ear. He looked from his pages startlingly to inquire as to the source of the sound, but when he saw a dark Night Fury near the entrance with a sizable deer slumped on the ground before him, he didn't need to look any further as to the source of the disturbance.
Hiccup placed the book and writing stick beside him as he stood up to greet the fellow who would find such good game that morning.
"I do hope you can eat this. Best prey I caught." Toothless beamed with pride as he studied his recent kill. Hiccup stepped forward to look over the dead animal, amazed at how he had taken it down without maiming the hide drastically.
"Yeah, this is really good. I'll need to cook it to eat though." At the thought of cooking, Hiccup's stomach started grumbling in protest to not being taken care of. Toothless' ear plates perked up at the odd sound emanating from the boy. Hiccup pushed aside the strange look he was getting and started for the basket to grab his skinning knife.
Returning to the kill, Hiccup turned to Toothless in request. "Do you know how to get a fire going, like the one from last night; wood logs and sticks piled up?" It would be so much easier for this morning if Toothless could start a fire like he does. At the request, Toothless backed out of the cave entrance, promising to return with a great bundle of logs and sticks as needed, followed by some quiet grumbling about having to do all the tiresome work.
Hiccup shut himself off from the receding being and turned to the deer laying on the ground, before fingering the knife in his hands. It was at parts of his life like this where he truly appreciated how diverse Gobber's training for smithing was. He forced all realms of aspects of the job onto him, ranging from tempering, to welding, to tanning hides, to skinning animals to collecting the hides and pelts for special commissioned work. It was never his favourite part of the job, but if he had to skin an animal to save his own hide, he would have to do it.
Crouching down beside the still beast, he readied his knife before thinking to himself.
'First of a score*.' With that, he brought the knife down, the sound of trees cracking in his eardrums as Toothless leveled an area the size of a small forest with his swipes. Birds scattered in the echoing sound as the sun turned over the mountain, leaf laden beams of light striking over the rolling earth outside the cave. Small creeks bubbled in the background as clouds drifted lazily by.
All work and no play, but what fun to live your own life. The gentle humming of tunes turned out from the cave as Hiccup whistled softly to himself at the future prospect of his life. Winter was just around the bend, and at the rate so far, he might just make it well enough through in one piece past it.
One can't hope but dream of well-being in the brightness their life will lead, for night is always followed by day, and with day comes new possibilities.
...not that Hiccup actually knew of what possibilities would play out on his end, he was busy preparing his meal for the next week...
...
{-AU-}
I haven't had an Author Note to be more personal in a while. A guest asked if our dear Hiccup can understand any dragon that chooses to speak. I can only say that neither Hiccup, Toothless, or Puff know in any way, therefor I do not know.
Also, in case anyone is curious, I may have been thinking of the song about 'Puff the Magic Dragon', when the little 'Terror came into play. I may or may not have been influenced in his name choice.
If it is not obvious, winter is going to be a very big deal for Hiccup. I can say enough that winter is important for this story. On the topic of winter/autumn, what are some favourite past-times and games you like to play outside when it snows or when the leaves cover the ground?
{-AU-}
The title, "Now is the Winter of Discontent", is the opening line in Shakespeare's play Richard III, printed in 1594. The symbolism being that the time of unhappiness is past, making way for something better.
*Powâkan = Spirit Guardian, the highest esteemed 'rank' a dragon could be entitled with. The Powâkan are keepers of the peace among Dragon Kind and other walks of life.
*score* = A score is equal to 20, as a dozen is equal to 12.